I am updating this article in July 2022 about how to sell art on the Venice Boardwalk, many years after doing so with updated information for both artists and patrons. I no longer make this kind of art, but instead making and selling my risograph prints online. You can see my work on my Etsy shop.
My Experience Selling Art on the Venice Boardwalk
If you’re wondering how to sell art on the Venice Beach boardwalk, you are in the right place!
The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a one-mile stretch along the Pacific Coast. It is home to beachgoers, artists, and surfers. Venice Beach is also known for its eclectic artwork along the Venice Boardwalk.
It was six in the morning and I had just finished hauling the last box of my art prints on the grass of the Venice Beach boardwalk. As the sun was rising, I defiantly declared: “These shits are gonna sell like hotcakes.” Looking back, I wish I could have told myself how naive I was.
This was back in 2014, when I still lived in Los Angeles. At the time, I was living with my parents in Glendale, CA, struggling to make a living as an artist. Growing up in LA, I remember visiting Venice Beach every now and again for family beach days. As a child, I fondly remember the street vendors and the unique wares and services they sold. Fast forward a decade and I was ready to sell my art to the masses.
Selling my Harmonograph Art
At the time, I built a machine called a harmonograph that uses gravity and weights to create beautiful images. I no longer sell the prints of my harmonograph art, but I do offer a small booklet that includes a lot of the designs. Here’s an old video of this machine. I built two harmonographs. The first one was a three pendulum harmonograph and the second one was a two pendulum harmonograph which was smaller and easier to transport.
Somewhere between watching vendors awkwardly fight for their 10′ x 10′ spots and convincing a dumpster truck driver to move out of my space, I realized how little I knew about selling art. Being a vendor on the Venice boardwalk is not for the faint of heart. However, selling art at Venice Beach is a crash course in sales, marketing, and customer relations … all with the beautiful backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
I had such high expectations for selling my work. And no, my art did not sell like hotcakes. At the end of my first day at Venice Beach. After being there for eight hours, I made $20.
Was it worth it financially? You do the math.
However, the experience was humbling. I learned invaluable lessons from selling my art on Venice which I will share.
Since my days selling art at Venice Beach, I’ve sold my work at more established (and less raucous) art markets and zine fests across the West Coast:
- Good Omen Market
- Roshambonanza
- Alberta Street Fair
- RAW Artists
- Portland Zine Symposium
- San Francisco Zine Fest
- East Bay Alternative Book & Zine Fest
- Los Angeles Zine Fest
Venice Beach Boardwalk Map
Do you need a permit to sell on Venice boardwalk?
When I was selling my art on the Venice boardwalk in 2014/2015, there were no requirement for permits and 10′ x 10′ spots were first come, first serve. However since selling in 2014, a seller’s permit is now required. Essentially, artists who want to sell their work, offer services, or perform must have a permit.
The Covid-19 Pandemic definitely changed ease of getting a sellers permit, but check out what the City of Los Angeles says:
“To reduce the spread of COVID-19, StreetsLA public counters are closed, but we continue to serve you. Vending permits are available by appointment by calling (213) 847-6000. Visit our emergency response page for more info, under “Street Use Permits,” along with other COVID-19 information.
All sidewalk and park vendors must follow safety guidelines to reduce the spread of the virus”
– Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services
What Can I Sell on the Venice Beach Boardwalk?
Essentially, you can sell whatever you like on Venice Beach, but with an important caveat. When you are selling in the 10′ x 10′ slots on the Venice Beach boardwalk, you will be directly in front of businesses that sell a variety of items for tourists: shirts, hats, jewelry, sunglasses, keychains, magnets, bikinis, etc
These businesses pay huge rents to be there on Venice Beach and don’t want to have to compete with sellers on the other side who essentially pay no rent. This is why you need to sell art. Seriously, no commercial stuff.
Don’t think you can go to Walmart, buy a bunch of t-shirts and resell them for double the price. You will be reported and caught and may even have to pay a fine.
I remember seeing a woman roll up next to my spot with a garbage bag full of used clothes. Just as she was just setting up, the police came and told her to leave.
You need to make sure you are not competing with the businesses who are paying rent.
What You’ll Need to Sell on the Venice Boardwalk
Now that we’ve got over what you can sell, let’s review what you’ll need to sell art on the Venice Beach boardwalk. There are some very important items that you will need to bring with you to the Venice Boardwalk to make your experience productive and pleasant. Here are the essential items that you must have to sell you work:
- Your artwork
- Water
- A way to collect money – you want to be able to accept your customers’ money however possible so consider setting up a Venmo account, CashApp, bringing a Square reader, and good old cash
- A seller’s permit
The above items are must-have items. other than that, I have a few recommendations that are nice to have when you are out selling your artwork on Venice Boardwalk:
- Business cards – you can easily design one with Canva
- Shade or some sort of sun protection Here is a pop up tent that I like
- Table and chair
- Table clothes, display stands, etc to make your work aesthetically pleasing
- A helper
Tips to Selling Art on the Venice Boardwalk
Aside from the above list of items that you should bring to Venice Beach, it is important to consider a these things before heading over
- An elevator pitch of your work This is especially helpful if you are shy around people or have a hard time talking about your work. It will also help you clarify who you are as an artist and what makes your work unique.
- A list of the things that you will need to bring This is helpful for people who tend to be forgetful. (I include myself in this category). A list will help you streamline the items that you will need to bring and you might only need it for the first few times and then what you need to bring might become second nature to you.
- Regular vending Chances are that your first or second or even third time selling at Venice Beach will not be successful. But don’t get discouraged! Every time you spend time there, you learn more about your potential customers, what times are good to sell, and how to finesse your elevator pitch. it’s a process.
I do not mean to scare anyone away from becoming a vendor on the Venice boardwalk because it’s an amazing place for artists to sell their work directly to customer. Plus, Venice gets great foot traffic especially in the summer months.
What is Venice Beach known for?
Venice Beach is a world famous beach known for it’s eclectic boardwalk and sunny skies.
All in all, I met some really amazing (and strange) vendors and customers. Interfacing with people is a great way learn about how people think and it’s particularly interesting as a vendor to observe how people relate to their money. Most people don’t want to spend more than $10 on art FYI.
I brought my harmonograph with me during the spring months and demonstrated how my drawing machine works to curious kids and strung out junkies alike.
For anyone who wants to make a quick buck: if you sell at Venice, you’ll leave with more stories and experience than dollars in your pocket. If you have art to sell and you’re in the LA area, then sell at Venice! It’s strange and interesting and you’ll learn a lot.
Do it!